My electricity plan is about to expire and it looks like rates have really gone up. Last several plans I was in the 8-9 cent range - now best I can find is 13+ cents for a 12 month fixed! What did I miss that caused this run-up?

uh... Biden's energy policies maybe...

Increased reliance on solar and wind?

Last time you renewed your electricity plan NG was probably ~$2.50 / mcf. Today it's just over $7.00 / mcf.

Also I think a lot of generators are still trying to recover from the 2021 freeze when they saw NG spot prices spike to in excess of $100 / mcf if they were able to stay online. Keep in mind, yes spot power was pegged at the regulatory max, but they were also still selling most of their power at much lower long term contract rates.

I just got a 36 month fixed at .11

AgTech88 said:

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My electricity plan is about to expire and it looks like rates have really gone up. Last several plans I was in the 8-9 cent range - now best I can find is 13+ cents for a 12 month fixed! What did I miss that caused this run-up?

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What did you miss?

The 2020 election obviously.

In the address bar up top, you'll see "forums/34". Change the "34" to "16" and you'll find your answer

Look into Thigbe for rates.
https://texags.com/forums/61/topics/3268822

I'm getting on my soap box. Years ago, I was for the de-regulation of electricity rates. Then it became law, and I saw my rates increase due to some 'act of God,' but I just don't remember the circumstances.

I now live in Tennessee, and electricity is regulated and supplied by the TVA. We pay 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour. This is one of those instances were I realized regulating something I took for granted was a good thing.

Then again, there's probably someone in a regulated state paying exorbitant rates, which would blow my theory.

DeBoss said:

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I just got a 36 month fixed at .11

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soooooooo.... you gonna tell us what company!?!?!?!

Eagle?

The TVA you say? That organization that was incredibly subsidized with infrustructure to buy southern votes?

It was over $500 per mmbtu at some point.

Euros are paying like $30/mcf

AgTech88 said:

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My electricity plan is about to expire and it looks like rates have really gone up. Last several plans I was in the 8-9 cent range - now best I can find is 13+ cents for a 12 month fixed! What did I miss that caused this run-up?

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You serious?

OP, you will be shocked when you make your yearly trip to the grocery store. Don't even look at gas prices while you're out.

Had dinner with a friend last night that works in retail power. She knows my plan is up in June and asked me about it. She said to find the "best" rate you can find and lock it for the longest term possible. Her parent company apparently sent out guidance rates will continue to rise and when they do come down it won't be to current levels.

I don't disagree with you on that one.

Lots of shady stuff during the FDR administration went down in East Tennessee/Western North Carolina. The creation of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Smoky Mountain National Park...and the manner in which landowners were forced off their land...and paid next to nothing...was criminal.

ToddyHill said:

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I'm getting on my soap box. Years ago, I was for the de-regulation of electricity rates. Then it became law, and I saw my rates increase due to some 'act of God,' but I just don't remember the circumstances.

I now live in Tennessee, and electricity is regulated and supplied by the TVA. We pay 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour. This is one of those instances were I realized regulating something I took for granted was a good thing.

Then again, there's probably someone in a regulated state paying exorbitant rates, which would blow my theory.

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Historically deregulated markets save money every time if the consumer shops for the best rate and does not let their contract go to a month/month rate. Even regulated markets will see price swings to catch up or pay off price increases. I'm currently in a regulated market surrounded by deregulation.

We pay a bit more than I could have gotten myself up until this year. Right now it's paying off but I'm sure our regulated price will go up in order to catch up to market. We'll see.

Best alternatives to Energy Ogre? Are services like that actually worth it?

Electricity is high because natural gas is high. Don't ignorantly blame wind and solar like politicians did during last year's freeze.

AggieEE2002 said:

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Best alternatives to Energy Ogre? Are services like that actually worth it?

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I like Energy Ogre. If nothing else they keep me from going out if contract.

Ogre09 said:

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Electricity is high because natural gas is high. Don't ignorantly blame wind and solar like politicians did during last year's freeze.

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Your view is too simplistic. The energy mix is interrelated. Wind and solar aren't consistently reliable sources of electricity. Closing down coal and nuclear in favor of wind and solar forces consumers to rely on natural gas for base load generation. Which is obviously impacted by very high prices.

https://www.powertochoose.org/

DeBoss said:

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I just got a 36 month fixed at .11

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What company is this with?

ToddyHill said:

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I'm getting on my soap box. Years ago, I was for the de-regulation of electricity rates. Then it became law, and I saw my rates increase due to some 'act of God,' but I just don't remember the circumstances.

I now live in Tennessee, and electricity is regulated and supplied by the TVA. We pay 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour. This is one of those instances were I realized regulating something I took for granted was a good thing.

Then again, there's probably someone in a regulated state paying exorbitant rates, which would blow my theory.

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Kalifornia...?

aggieband 83 said:

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DeBoss said:

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I just got a 36 month fixed at .11

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What company is this with?

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If you only care about rates, chasing companies is pretty useless. Their published rates can vary often, and the delivery charges to your area can differ quite a bit. Use www.powertochoose.org to view current rates in your area with the proper delivery charges, and that's literally all you need.

Keeping in mind that there are minimums for some plans, different rates at different tires of usage (0 - 500 kWh one price, 500 - 100 kWh another price, etc).

I do this each renewal with a spreadsheet, and I take an average the last three year's of usage in my house and apply it against the most competitive plans, taking into account any rate tiers, minimums, or whatever else. It doesn't take much time each renewal, and it's easily something anyone can do on their own.

Or you can pay Energy Ogre about $120 a year to do this exact thing for you, but you have access to the same information they do.

Great point. I guess I can only speak for regulated Utility rates in East Tennessee.

Yes, TriEagle. Customer service was good to start.

TriEagle, probably should have said that. Had to go to their site to find the 36 month but it was the best for me since I'm well over the 2000 annual amount to get the big rebates.

I'm coming up on the end of a 36 month contract in June. I just locked in with Amigo/Tara Energy (same parent company) for 60months with rates inclusive of Centerpoint TDU charges in the 12.9-12.3 range. My monthly usage varies as low as sub 500 in the winter and months (gas heat) to over 1400 in Aug/September. I live alone in a 4 bedroom 2 story 3300sqft (yeah, I know...)

At this point I don't see energy going down anytime soon. I expect it to continue to go up, and when it does come down inflation isn't going to return it to the levels we see today.